Key for musical instruments



1952 w. G. APPEL KEY FOR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS Filed July 29, 1948 INVENTOR.

7/222147/2 dflp veZ, BY

Patented Feb. 5, 1952 2,584,319 KEY FOR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS William G. Appel, Chicago, Ill.

Application July 29, 1948, Serial N 0. 41,306

11 Claims.

This invention relates to full-note or white keys for the manuals or keyboards of musical instruments, such as pianos and organs.

Conventional full-note keys are made from a wood board by a number of steps including covering the top and front of the board with a surfacing sheet, usually made of a nitro-cellulose composition, cutting the wood board to separate the individual keys, shaping each key behind the Wide finger area so as to permit proper lateral interspacing with the black or half-note keys, cutting the full-note keys at thetransition from the finger area to the taper required for clearance of the forward ends of the black keys when the latter are depressed, and cutting a forward slot or guide hole in each key. It should be noted that the black half-note keys and the white full-note keys cannot be cut from a single board to their final lengths in a single saw-cut since the white keys are much longer than the black keys. Further, a number of operations and steps are involved, and much of the material of construction is wasted as scrap.

I have now provided a novel full-note key for the manuals of musical instruments comprising a wood-bar inserted in a channel member made of plastic material. The wood-bar has the same length as the black or half-note keys. The channel member is closed at its forward end but open at its rear end, and is provided with a transverse partition wall adapted to be aligned with the forward ends of the half-note keys. The channel member has arelatively wide portion forward of the partition wall defining a finger plate but is relatively narrow rearwardly of the partition wall to permit the proper interspacing with the halfnote keys. The wood-bar forms the remainder of the key and has one end portion seated in the channel member rearwardly of the partition wall so that the remainder of the bar projects through the open rear end of the channel member. The latter may be molded of suitable white plastic material and may have a T-shaped web or the like projecting inwardly from each of its depending side walls to define a guide slot.

The wood-bars forming part of my novel keys are of the same length as the half-note keys. Thus, a number of wood-bars suitable for fabrication into full-note keys and/or half-note keys may be cut or sawed from a single wood board, one edge of which forms the front end of all of said wood-bars. The channel member may be molded in one step, as by injection or by compression molding, so that the above indicated conventional wood shaping and cutting steps can be eliminated.

It is, therefore, an important object of the present invention to provide a novel full-note key for the manuals of musical instruments and comprising an inverted channel member, the outside bottom of which forms the upper surface of the visible portion of the key, the remainder of the key being formed by a wood-bar seated in the rear portion of said channel member.

Another object of this invention is to provide a channel member made of plastic material and closed at its forward end but open at its rear end and adapted to have seated therein a wood-bar of suitable length and shaped so that the assembled channel member and Wood-bar will form a full-note key interchangeable with conventional full-note keys.

Other and further objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings which show, by way of example, a key according to the present invention. More particularly:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary plan view of a key board including full-note keys according to the present invention;

Figure 2 is a side elevation, with parts shown in vertical section, of a full-note key according to the present invention;

Figure 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view. with parts shown in elevation, taken along the line 33 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken along the line 44 of Figure l, and showing the wood-bar in various stages of insertion into the channel member;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary bottom plan view of the key of Figures 2 and 4;

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 6-6 of Figure 4;

Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 1-1 of Figure 4;

Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 8-8 of Figure 4, and showing the woodbar in an initial stage of insertion into the channel member;

Figure 9 is a view similar to Figure 8 showing the wood-bar as finally seated in the channel member;

Figure 10 is a fragmentary enlarged cross-sectional view taken along the line l0|0 of Figure 9;

Figure 11 is a perspective view of a felt pad to be used as a bushing for the webs defining the guide slot of the key of Figure 2;

Figure 12 is a perspective view of the felt pad of Figure 11 as folded over for use as a bushing; and

Figure 13 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken along the line l3-l3 of Figure 5.

In Figure l half-note keys of conventional construction are indicated generally by the reference numeral I8 and full-note keys according to the presentinvention by the reference numeral l2. As shown in Figure 2, the keys 12 comprise an inverted channel member 14 and a wood-bar [6 having one end seated in one end of the channel member. The wood-bar is suitably apertured, as at l8, to receive a balance pin projecting from a key balance rail 22. The aperture I8 is located at the fulcrum point of the key [2 as in a conventional key. Rearwardly of the aperture l8, the key [2 is of conventional construction and cooperates with the other parts of the piano in known manner. The forward end of the key 12 cooperates with a conventional front rail pin 2i, as will be disclosed in greater detail hereinbelow.

The channel member [4 includes a relatively wide forward bottom portion 24 defining a finger plate and a relatively narrow rear portion 28 covering the remaining visible portion of the key 12. As shown in Figure l, the narrow rear portion 26 extends forwardly sufficiently far to project slightly beyond the half-note keys It). The finger plate area 24 has depending therefrom a front wall 28 and side walls 30. The rear bottom portion 28 has depending therefrom side walls 32. The front end of the space between the side walls 32 and the rear bottom portion 26 is closed off by a partition wall 34 extending as far down as the side walls 32. The rear ends of the side walls 38 are connected to the front ends of the side walls 32 by short depending walls 38 having rear faces tapered to allow clearance for the forward ends of the half-note keys which travel along an are when depressed. The front edge of the wall 34 may be aligned with the lower rear edges of the walls 36. The rear edge of the wall 34 is aligned with the upper rear edges of the walls 36. A bead 38 extends along the underside of the rear bottom portion 26 short of the partition wall 34. A plurality of spaced beads 40 extend downwardly along the insides of the side walls 32 short of the free edges of the latter. A bead 42 extends downwardly along the rear side of the partition 34 throughout the whole length of the latter, with the bead edge in alignment with the front edge of the half-note keys [0. Webs 44 of T-shaped cross-sectional configuration extend inwardly from each of the side walls into spaced opposed relationship. The lower ends of the webs 44 are spaced by a short distance from the bottom ends of the side wall 30. Felt pads 48 of rectangular form and having longitudinal slots 48 therein are folded over the webs 44, the slots 48 serving to accommodate the leg portions of the T-shaped webs, as shown in Figures 5 and 12. The front rail pin 2| is received between the opposed vertical surfaces of the felt pads 46 folded over the webs 44.

The wood-bar [6 may be seated in the channel member I4, as shown in Figure 4. Initially the wood-bar l6 may be loosely disposed in the channel member l4 so that one edge face of the woodbar rests against the ends of the beads 40, with the end of the bar short of the head 42 (as shown in dash-dot lines). Next, the wood-bar is pushed forwardly so that its end will rest against the head 42 (as shown in full lines). Finally, the

wood-bar is pushed down into the channel mem her, into abutment against the bead 38 (as shown in dash-double dot lines). In the last step, the beads are caused to bite into the sides of the wood-bar, as illustrated in Figure 10. As also shown in the latter figure, glue spaces 53 are defined between the beads 48, the wood-bar 16 being slightly narrower than the distance between the opposed side walls 32. The upper bead 38 spaces the top of the wood-bar Hi from the inside of the rear bottom portion 28 to define glue spaces 52 on both sides thereof.

The bead 42 is located at exactly as far forwardly as the end of the half-note keys i8. fhus, the forward edge of the half-note keys ill and of the wood-bars It may be formed by a single cut across a wood board which is thereafter cut normally to the first line of cut for forming both the black keys Ill and the wood-bars l8. The

initial cut is not necessary if the forward edge of the wood board happens to be straight and unmarred.

The preferably v-shaped vertical beads 40 on the side walls 32 allow a more positive and more accurate slip fit of the wood-bar [6 within the channel member 14, and permit greater tolerance in the dimensions of the wood bars. All the beads 38, 48 and 42 serve to compensate for molding draft, molding knockout burrs, molding fillets or 'wood burrs. Since the beads 40 are shorter than the bead 42 and have a fade-away leading edge, it is easy to position the channel member on top of the wood bar in proper position (or vice versa) and then to press the wood-bar into seated position by vertical pressure. Preferably, glue or some other adhesive is applied to the wood-bar before it is seated in the channel member. As pointed out hereinabove, the beads 38 and 48 space the opposing surfaces of the woodbar 16 and of the channel member sufficiently to accommodate a layer of adhesive therebetween, as indicated at 50 and 52.

The channel member l4 may be molded by any suitable methods from commercially available thermosetting or thermoplastic resinous materials, such as urea-formaldehyde or melamineformaldehyde resins, methylmethacrylate resins, polystyrene, ethyl cellulose, cellulose acetate, cellulose butyrate, cellulose propionate or the like. Although molded plastics, such as those mentioned, ordinarily have a higher specific gravity than wood, the fact that the forward part of my key is hollow makes its weight roughly equivalent to the corresponding part of a solid wood key of the same external dimensions. More accurate equivalence in weight, as may be required for any individual key board, may be secured by choice of a plastic molding material of the appropriate specific gravity; by variation in wall thickness of the channel member [4; by making the side walls of the channel member longer or shorter; by tapering the rear edges of the forward side walls 30; or by other methods. Thus, my novel key will not introduce new balancing problems; the fulcrum point as well as the leverage length can remain unchanged; and the players feel will not be disturbed.

My novel keys have the same shape and dimensions as conventional full-tone keys and are interchangeable therewith, so that the appearance, function and method of assembling the key boards or manuals need not be modified when my keys are used.

The channel member [4 can be fabricated with great dimensional accuracy, reducing alignment time. No material needs to be scrapped. Since the visible top and side surfaces of my keys are integral and are of identical color, the keys present an improved appearance. The material of the channel member can be made relatively nonporous so that the visible surfaces will not catch dirt and can be wiped clean easily. No blistering, peeling or delamination of surfacing sheets will occur, as in conventional full-note keys.

Many details of construction can be varied within a wide range without departing from the principles of this invention and it is therefore not my purpose to limit the patent granted on this invention otherwise than necessitated by the scope of the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. A full-note key for the manual of a musical instrument comprising a channel member made of plastic material and closed at its forward end but open at its rear end, said channel member having a relatively wide forward bottom portion defining a finger plate together with a relatively tical beads extending short of the free edges of said side walls and biting into said bar while defining glue spaces between said bar and said side walls.

2. A full-note key for the manual of a musical instrument comprising a channel member made of plastic material and closed at its forward end but open at its rear end, said channel member having a relatively wide forward bottom portion defining a finger plate together with a relatively narrow rear bottom portion adapted to extend between the half-note keys of said manual, a

transverse partition wall adapted to be aligned with the forward ends of said half-note keys, and forming a forward closure for the relatively narrow rear portion of said channel, and a wood-bar having one end portion seated in said rear portion in abutment against said partition and projecting through the open rear end of said member, said relatively narrow rear bottom portion having a bead extending lengthwise on its underside to define glue spaces between said underside and said bar.

3. A full-note key for the manual of a musical instrument comprising a channel member made of plastic material and closed at its forward end but open at its rear end, said member having a transverse partition wall having a vertical bead extending on its rear side adapted to be aligned with the forward end of the half-note keys of said manual, the bottom of said member forwardly of said partition being relatively wide for defining a finger plate for said key but being relatively narrow rearwardly of said partition, and a wood-bar having one end portion seated in said channel member rearwardly of said partition wall and projecting through the open rear end of said member.

4. A full-note key for the manual of a musical instrument comprising a channel member made of plastic material and closed at its forward end but open at its rear end, said member having a transverse wall adapted to be aligned with the forward end of the half-note keys of said manual, the bottom of said member forwardly of said partition bein relatively wide for defining a finger plate for said key but being relatively narrow rearwardly of said partition, and a woodbar having one end portion seated in said channel member rearwardly of said partition wall and projecting through the open rear end of said member, the rear face of said wall being tapered outside of said narrow channel member portion to clear the half-note keys of said manual and having a vertical bead extending within said narrow channel member portion to serve as an abutment for the forward end of said wood-bar.

5. A full-note key for the manual of a musical instrument comprising a channel member made of plastic material and closed at its forward end but open at its rear end, said member having a transverse partition wall adapted to be aligned with the forward end of the half-note keys of said manual, the bottom of said member forwardly of said partition being relatively wide for defining a finger plate for said key but being relatively narrow rearwardly of said partition, and a wood-bar having one. end portion seated in said channel member rearwardly of said partition wall and projecting through the open rear end of said member, the insides of the side walls of said channel member forwardly of said partition wall being formed with inwardly projecting webs adapted to receive a front rail pin therebetween.

6. A channel-shaped member made of plastic material and adapted to be combined with a wood-bar to form a full-note key for the manual of a musical instrument, said member being closed forwardly but open rearwardly and com prising a relatively wide forward portion having a bottom portion defining a finger area, a relatively narrow rear portion adapted to extend between the half-note keys of said manual, a depending partition wall at the transition from said wide forward portion to said narrow rear portion, the latter being adapted to have said wood-bar seated therein and projecting through the open rear end thereof, and the walls of the narrow rear portion of said channel member being formed with beads for defining glue spaces between said bar and the insides of said walls.

7. A channel-shaped member made of plastic material and adapted to be combined with a wood-bar to form a full-note key for the manual of a musical instrument, said member being closed forwardly but open rearwardly and comprising a relatively wide forward portion having a bottom portion defining a finger area, a relatively narrow rear portion adapted to extend between the half-note keys of said manual, and a depending partition wall at the transition from said wide forward portion to said narrow rear portion, the latter being adapted to have said wood-bar seated therein and projecting through the open rear end thereof, said partition wall having a vertical bead extend on its rear face to serve as an abutment for the front end of said wood-bar and aligned with the forward ends of the half-note keys of said manual.

8. A channel-shaped member made of plastic material and adapted to be combined with a wood-bar to form a full-note key for the manual of a musical instrument, said member bein closed forwardly but open rearwardly and comprising a relatively wide forward portion having a bottom portion defining a finger area, a relatively narrow rear portion adapted to extend between the half-note keys of said manual, and a depending partition wall at the transition from said wide forward portion to said narrow rear portion, the latter being adapted to have said wood-bar seated therein and projecting through the open rear end thereof, and the insides of the side walls of said channel member forwardly of said partition wall being formed with inwardly projecting webs adapted to receive a front rail pin therebetween.

9. A channel-shaped member made of plastic material and adapted to be combined with a wood-bar to form a full-note key for the manual of a musical instrument, said member being closed forwardly but open rearwardly and comprising a relatively wide forward portion having a bottom portion defining a finger area, a relatively narrow rear portion adapted to extend between the haif-note keys of said manual, a depending partition wall at the transition from said wide forward portion to said narrow rear portion, the latter being adapted to have said wood-bar seated therein and projecting through the open rear end thereof, and the walls of the narrow rear portion of said channel member being formed with beads for defining glue spaces between said bar and the insides of said walls, the side wall beads extending short of the free edges of said side walls and being adapted to bite into the sides of said wood-bar.

10. A full-note key for the manual of a musical instrument comprising an inverted channel member closed forwardly but open rearwardly and having a relatively wide forward portion defining a finger plate and a relatively narrow rear portion adapted to extend between the half-note keys of said manual, the side walls of said forward portion being formed with inwardly extending T-shaped webs presenting opposed extended surfaces adapted to be covered with felt and to receive a front rail pin therebetween, said channel member having a depending partition wall extending transversely at the transition from said front portion to said rear portion, the rear face of said partition being tapered outside said rear channel member portion to clear said half-note keys when the latter are depressed and having a vertical bead extending the whole length of said wall within said narrow rear channel portion and aligned with the free ends of said half-note keys, the side walls of the latter being formed with spaced inner vertical beads extending short of the free edges of said side walls and the bottom inside of said narrow rear channel member being formed with a bead extending short of said partition wall, said key further comprising a wood-bar having one end portion seated in said narrow rear channel member portion with its forward end in abutment against said partition wall head, said vertical side wall beads biting into the sides of said bar.

11. A method of making a full-note key for the manual of a musical instrument comprising pro viding a wood-board, cutting said board transversely into bars of the same length as the halfnote keys 'of said manual, providing a channel member made of plastic material and closed forwardly but open rearwardly and having a relatively wide forward portion defining a finger plate together with a relatively narrow rear portion adapted to extend between said half-note keys, said channel member having a partition wall formed with a beaded face closing the forward end of said narrow rear channel member and having inside beads on the bottom and side walls of said narrow rear channel portion, and seating one end portion of said wood-bar in said narrow rear channel portion with its forward end abutting against said partition wall bead, its top surface in abutment against said bottom wall bead andits surfaces indented by said side wall beads.

WILLIAM G. APPEL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 442,166 Boyes Dec. 9, 1890 2,117,002 Hammond May 10, 1938 2,266,856 Farny Dec. 23, 1941 2,470,659 Sloan May 17, 1949 

